Archive for month: November, 2016

We’re known for a few things here in Alaska: Winter, winter sports, fishing, hunting, and, inevitably the most beautiful, the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are an incredible sight. If you’re visiting in the winter, then you’re visiting at the perfect time to see one of Mother Nature’s most beautiful creations. We always encourage our Alaska winter car rentals clients to look out for these beauties. Sometimes that means leaving the Alaskan cities and heading a little closer to the wilderness.

Not sure where to see the sights? That’s okay. Fortunately, here in Alaska, we like to make sure our visitors are taken care of. Tours are available for Northern Lights viewings. Once that’s done, you’ll know where to take your Alaska winter car rentals – just in case one sighting wasn’t enough.

Some things to know about the Aurora Borealis

There are a couple of things you’ll want to know before setting off on this endeavor.

First, you’re here at the prime time. The Northern Lights are visible through September to April. While you may catch a glimpse here or there in the warmer months, fall through early spring when the nights are longest and darkest is your best bet. You can’t see the aurora in the daytime or in cloudy, light night skies.

Second, the aurora isn’t always predictable. You can’t always know when the aurora borealis will show its incredible shimmer or where. However, if you want to have your best chance, look between 11:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m., with the peak hour usually appearing around 1:30 a.m. That’s right – if you want to see a good glimpse of the aurora then it’s going to be a late night. You may want to take a nap earlier in the day so you’re not driving drowsy in your Alaska winter car rentals.

Finally, make sure to wear extra warm clothing. As I’m sure you can imagine, Alaska is a little bit nippy in the winter. You’ll want to wear warm socks, heavy boots, thick sweaters, scarves, a hat, mittens, and a good coat. You can’t go too far. Try windbreakers and a few hand and foot warmers that will make sure you don’t get chilly. Again – better safe than sorry, so there’s no harm in packing extra sweaters and socks in your Alaska winter car rentals.

Tours to see the lights

There are a few different guided tours to see the lights. If you go to Fairbanks, you can catch the Northern Alaska Tour Company. This region is the “aurora oval” where the aurora borealis is the most visible. The tour will even take you a couple hours north to see a few more sights and the aurora.

Many of our Alaska winter car rentals clients stay around Anchorage. If that fits you, try the Salmon Berry Tours Northern Lights Excursions. These will allow you to park your Alaska winter car rentals and will take care of everything. Depending on the experience you’re looking for, the Salmon Berry Tours offer both overnight and multi-day outings. Thinking of a perfect romantic experience with your sweetheart? This may be exactly what you’re looking for. Spectacular sights, romantic midnight outings beneath the aurora – more picture opportunities than you’ll be able to capture. The Salmon Berry Tours season starts November 15.

The Arctic Circle Aurora Overnight Adventures offers 2 to 3 day excursions. This will involve a flightseeing opportunity around the Brooks Mountain Range. It goes from Fairbanks to Coldfoot village.

You’ll never get a better experience than that of the tours to view the aurora borealis. And you just need the perfect Alaska winter car rentals to finish off an amazing trip. Reserve from Avis today.

The days may be getting darker and colder, but who ever said Alaska dies down in winter? This is the perfect time to be out and about in the North of the 49. Our Alaska winter rentals offer you the flexibility and mobility you need. All you need now is a place to go.

We’ve put together a little list of events around the state. A few of these are for Ducks Unlimited, which means you can be charitable to waterfowl conservation (and therefore hunting) while having a blast.

Ducks Unlimited Events

We’ll get started with these – they’re always a blast and they’re for a good cause. As avid hunters here at Avis Alaska, we want to make sure our hunting isn’t without a sustainable foundation.

If you’re a Waterfowl hunter, then check out the Mat-Su Waterfowl Hunters Party on November 5. With games and raffles you may just end up winning something while contributing to sustainable waterfowl hunting! If you’re looking for something a little more traditional and elegant, buy tickets for the Anchorage Fall Banquet on November 12, the Dillingham Banquet on November 19, or the Valdez Banquet also on November 19.

Finally, park your Alaska winter rentals for the night and join in on the fun at the Cooper Landing Bar Night! Fun, raffles, and a taco bar! It’s a great way to escape the cold and relax after a day enjoying the winter sports of Alaska.

Great Alaska Shootout

Despite Alaska’s reputation for hunting, the Great Alaska Shootout isn’t quite what it sounds like. This event occurs annually in Anchorage and brings together collegiate teams for a Thanksgiving weekend of friendly basketball competition.

The Great Alaska Shootout involves two women’s sessions and six men’s sessions, each involving two games. Games begin on November 22, 2016 and run until November 26, 2016. Tickets can be found online here.

Haines, Alaska Bald Eagle Festival

Do you want to show your patriotism? Are you proud to be an American, and proud of our strong national symbol – the bald eagle? Then take your Alaska winter rentals down to the Haines Bald Eagle Festival.

The Haines Bald Eagle Festival begins on November 7, 2016 and goes through November 13, 2016. Around this time of the year, thousands of bald eagles crowd around the Chilkat River to feed on the chum and Coho salmon that flock to the four mile region of the river that remains unfrozen. This has become the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. It draws in huge crowds of people to see a rare sight – bald eagles in large groups, flocking around one area. It’s truly breathtaking.

While here you’ll get a chance to learn more about American bald eagles, and take part in the scientific and artistic cultural sides of this species.

Christmas bazaars and festivals

While you’re out and about Alaska, keep an eye out for the various holiday bazaars that will pop up across the state. With Thanksgiving almost upon us, Alaska has a great number of festivals and holiday markets to keep even Santa’s Elves busy. ‘Tis the season!

While not ever bazaar will begin opening really until December, you will catch a few of the early birds. For instance, the Coffman Cove Holiday Bazaar runs on November 5. The Ketchikan Winter Arts Faire is open from November 25 until November 27, and shows off ice sculpture talents from more than 75 artists in the area. During the same days, the Juneau Public Market kicks off the holiday season with a variety of vendors. Be careful – you may leave with your Alaska winter rentals considerably fuller than before! Also on November 25, “Christmas Comes to Kenai: North Pole on Ice” also begins and runs through until December.

No matter what, there are plenty of activities to get you into the holiday spirit!

But nothing can make your trip more complete than the perfect Alaska winter rentals. Avis can help you there. Reserve your vehicle from us today for great deals, safe winter handling, and friendly service.

Welcome back to one of the most glorious times of the year! The time of freezing weather, thick snow, and winter sports! Here at Avis Alaska, we live for the various sports that begin once the snow starts. One of our favorites? Snowmobiling. And with your Alaska winter car rentals, the world is your oyster. So pack up your Alaska winter car rentals with warm clothes and hit up one of these top snowmobiling experiences.

Start with a tour

One of the best ways to get to know snowmobiling in Alaska is with a tour. We list a variety of tours below, but first we’re going to let you know why this is a viable option.

The thing is that a well-seasoned and life-long Alaskan is always going to know the trails better than visitors are. And the Alaskan wilderness isn’t always a safe space. So why not get to know the trails with an experienced snowmobiler before renting one yourself?

Not only that, but these tour guides will be able to show you parts of Alaska that you may not otherwise see. It’s one thing to know that there are sites to see – it’s another to know where these are and exactly how you should see them. Tour guides can help with that. Once you’ve discovered the site, you can always go back for more on your own time whether on a snowmobile or in your Alaska winter car rentals.

Finally, tours may offer you the chance to meet other people while traveling. This can be a fun way to bond with other travelers about two things we love most – machines and the Alaskan winter wilderness.

Tours an option

There are a few fun tours that we’d recommend. One is the snowmobile Gold Mine Tour. This tour is great for early season snowmobiling, and its well-groomed trails allow for a great experience for both beginner and expert snowmobilers. The groups are always small and manageable – around 5 to 6 people – which allows you to connect with both your guide and other tour takers. However, if your group is larger we’d advise you to speak to someone at the company as they may be able to offer larger tours.

The tour includes reindeer hot dogs on the campfire. Cost is $200 for 3.5 hours offered by Glacier City Snowmobile Tours. You’ll even see sites that were used in Hollywood films!

Also offered by the same company is the Real Deal Blue Ice Tour. For $250, you get a 5.5 hour tour that traverses across the Chugach Mountains. But be warned – this is an intense tour. The Real Deal Blue Ice tour is challenging and can be difficult. It will lead you inside of glaciers – but only times approved by the US Forest Service.

Finally, we’d recommend the expeditions and day tours offered by Snow Safaris. These range from one to 5 days and even offer custom tailored tours. There are a variety of opportunities for filming and photo shoots, if you’re looking for a new group shot.

Multiple day expeditions include overnight stays and all meals. They take care of any driving needed to and from your hotel so your Alaska winter car rentals can stay safe and sound in your hotel garage.

Snowmobile rentals

If you’re ready to rent a machine and head off, you’re in luck. Alaska is full of snowmobile rentals companies. The tour companies listed above offer rentals with each of their tours and individual rentals. Other rental companies include Alaska Backcountry Access, Alaska Toy Rental, and Alaska Snowmobile Tours and Rentals.

However, if you’re setting off on your own, make sure you go prepared. Bring a pack with an emergency kit including snacks, water, candles, flashlight and extra batteries, GPS AND paper map, flares, full charged cell phone, and a thermo-blanket. Better to be safe than sorry.

Winter is a glorious time in Alaska. Don’t believe us? Let us show you. Reserve your Alaska winter car rentals from Avis today for an unbelievable Alaskan experience.